Transcription contributed by Arne H Trelvik 3 Jul 2005

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926

GEORGE E. RILEY, farmer; P. O. Ridgeville; born in Warren County Sept. 29, 1845; is a son of Jacob and Ann (Thatcher) Riley, he a native of Maryland and she probably of New Jersey. Jacob was born in Maryland Sept. 15, 1809, where he was raised till 17 years of age, when he emigrated to Ohio, and located in Warren County; was married and became the father of four children; two now survive - Mary, now Mrs. McEwen, and George E. Mr. Riley has made agricultural pursuits his business. In 1838 or 1839, he bought and located on Section 30, just east of Ridgeville, where he has since resided -a period of forty-two years. He started in life a poor orphan boy, his parents dying when he was but a child, and here in Warren County he commenced to gain a livelihood and a home. He had but a meager education, but, by close application and a good use of his time, and the few opportunities he had to attend the common schools, he obtained the rudiments of an education and began his business life. His great activity, energy and industry have won for him a good competency with all its attendant comforts; he owns 196 acres of good land, with good improvements, which is an example of what a poor young man may accomplish by energy and industry. Mrs. Riley died Dec. 11, 1848, in her 37th year of age, Mr. Riley is now 72 years of age, and is quite sprightly and active and is a much respected citizen. The subject of this sketch was raised to farm labor, receiving a good common-school education; then he attended the Southwestern National Normal School at Lebanon, intending to adopt some profession, but, being of a rather weakly constitution, and, by the advice of his physician, he adopted a rural and agricultural life; was married, Sept. 15, 1869, to Ada A., daughter of Benjamin A. and Maria Stokes, whose history appears in the sketch of B. A. Stokes. By this union, they have two children - Blanche A., born Oct. 25, 1875, and Pearl M., born Sept 6, 1877. Mr. Riley lived on the home place of his father five years. He bought and located where he now lives and has since resided in the spring of 1876. Mr. Riley is one of the enterprising and prosperous farmers of Clear Creek Township, a man of good natural abilities and attainments, a very social and congenial neighbor and a much respected citizen.